adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers Cricket Franchise coach Wayne James has named an inexperienced squad to participate in the Twenty20 tournament that starts on Monday and ends on Saturday at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe Cricket is using the tournament as part of their preparations for next month’s ICC World Cup in Bangladesh.
Matabeleland Tuskers open their account against Southern Rocks.
Announcing his squad yesterday, James said bad weather due to persistent rains had made their preparations for the competition difficult but remained hopeful that his players will hold their own in Harare.
The Matabeleland Tuskers coach is guiding the club for the first time in this format of the game since taking over from Heath Streak whose contract expired at the end of last season.
James said he was using the Twenty20 tournament to lay a foundation for next season.
“What we have here is basically a young and inexperienced squad. This is the time for most of the boys to show their mettle and justify their inclusion in our squad.
“However, on the positive end is that we are building a platform for the future as we anticipate that most of these players will be around for years to come,” said James.
Seasoned players that will be key in Matabeleland Tuskers’ campaign are skipper Sean Williams, returning Keegan Meth, all-rounder Keith Dabengwa, pace bowler Christopher Mpofu and John Nyumbu.
Milton High School pupil Bruce Tshuma is among the 14 players travelling to Harare with other rookies being Nkosana Mpofu an Kelvin Kandala.
Matabeleland Tuskers coach also included fringe players like Kandala, Thabo Mboyi, Goodwill Mamhiyo, Tony Mupariwa and Bonaparte Mujuru.
Promising opening batsman Brian Chari completes Matabeleland Tuskers’ squad.
Meanwhile, by end of business yesterday, Matabeleland Tuskers players were still to receive their outstanding salaries.
A senior player said: “If we are not paid by Monday, we will not play. ZC said the latest date to settle our allowances is Monday and we are patiently waiting for the day.”
James confirmed that his charges were yet to be paid.
“They have told me that they haven’t been paid but I’m only responsible for their training only. We are waiting to see what happens on Monday and we will take it from there,” he said.
Matabeleland Tuskers squad
Bonaparte Mujuru, Brian Chari, Sean Williams (captain), Keith Dabengwa, Goodwill Mamhiyo, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tony Mupariwa, Thabo Mboyi, Christopher Mpofu, John Nyumbu, Nkosana Mpofu, Kelvin Kandala, Bruce Sibanda, Keegan Meth
Twenty20 fixtures
Monday: Mashonaland Eagles v MidWest Rhinos, Southern Rocks v Matabeleland Tuskers
Tuesday: Manicaland Mountaineers v Mashonaland Eagles, MidWest Rhinos v Southern Rocks
Wednesday: Mashonaland Eagles v Southern Rocks, Matabeleland Tuskers v Manicaland Mountaineers
Thursday: MidWest Rhinos v Matabeleland Tuskers, Southern Rocks v Manicaland Mountaineers
Friday: Matabeleland Tuskers v Mashonaland Eagles, Manicaland Mountaineers v MidWest Rhinos
*NB: All matches at Harare Sports Club
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